The Gold Standard: Emmy chances for comedy shows and stars

Caption'Homeland'

Showtime

Wins: Drama Series Actress Drama: Claire Danes as Carrie Mathison Actor Drama: Damian Lewis as Nicholas Brody Writing for a Drama Series Casting for a Drama Series: Junie Lowry Johnson, Libby Goldstein, Judy Henderson, Craig Fincannon, & Lisa Mae Fincannon Single-Camera Picture Editing for a Drama Series: Jordan Goldman & David Latham Nominations: Drama Series Actress Drama: Claire Danes as Carrie Mathison Actor Drama: Damian Lewis as Nicholas Brody Directing for a Drama Series Writing for a Drama Series Casting for a Drama Series Single-Camera Picture Editing for a Drama Series Original Main Title Theme Music Sound Mixing for a Comedy or Drama Series (One Hour)

Wins: Drama Series Actress Drama: Claire Danes as Carrie Mathison Actor Drama: Damian Lewis as Nicholas Brody Writing for a Drama Series Casting for a Drama Series: Junie Lowry Johnson, Libby Goldstein, Judy Henderson, Craig Fincannon, & Lisa Mae Fincannon Single-Camera Picture Editing for a Drama Series: Jordan Goldman & David Latham Nominations: Drama Series Actress Drama: Claire Danes as Carrie Mathison Actor Drama: Damian Lewis as Nicholas Brody Directing for a Drama Series Writing for a Drama Series Casting for a Drama Series Single-Camera Picture Editing for a Drama Series Original Main Title Theme Music Sound Mixing for a Comedy or Drama Series (One Hour) (Showtime)

Wins: Miniseries or Movie Directing for a Miniseries, Movie or Dramatic Special Lead Actress in a Miniseries or Movie: Julianne Moore as Sarah Palin Writing for a Miniseries, Movie or Dramatic Special Casting for a Miniseries, Movie or Special: David Rubin, Richard Hicks, Pat Moran, & Kathleen Chopin Nominations: Miniseries or Movie Lead Actress in a Miniseries or Movie: Julianne Moore as Sarah Palin Lead Actor in a Miniseries or Movie: Woody Harrelson as Steve Schmidt Supporting Actress in a Miniseries or Movie: Sarah Paulson as Nicolle Wallace Supporting Actor in a Miniseries or Movie: Ed Harris as John McCain Directing for a Miniseries, Movie or Dramatic Special Writing for a Miniseries, Movie or Dramatic Special Casting for a Miniseries, Movie or Special Cinematography for a Miniseries or Movie Single-Camera Picture Editing for a Miniseries or Movie Music Composition for a Miniseries, Movie or Special Sound Mixing for a Miniseries or Movie

Wins: Miniseries or Movie Directing for a Miniseries, Movie or Dramatic Special Lead Actress in a Miniseries or Movie: Julianne Moore as Sarah Palin Writing for a Miniseries, Movie or Dramatic Special Casting for a Miniseries, Movie or Special: David Rubin, Richard Hicks, Pat Moran, & Kathleen Chopin Nominations: Miniseries or Movie Lead Actress in a Miniseries or Movie: Julianne Moore as Sarah Palin Lead Actor in a Miniseries or Movie: Woody Harrelson as Steve Schmidt Supporting Actress in a Miniseries or Movie: Sarah Paulson as Nicolle Wallace Supporting Actor in a Miniseries or Movie: Ed Harris as John McCain Directing for a Miniseries, Movie or Dramatic Special Writing for a Miniseries, Movie or Dramatic Special Casting for a Miniseries, Movie or Special Cinematography for a Miniseries or Movie Single-Camera Picture Editing for a Miniseries or Movie Music Composition for a Miniseries, Movie or Special Sound Mixing for a Miniseries or Movie (HBO)

"Modern Family" has won the comedy series Emmy for each of its three seasons. Other shows that have gone the three-peat route — "30 Rock," "Taxi," "The Mary Tyler Moore Show," "All in the Family" and "The Dick Van Dyke Show" — were denied a fourth straight Emmy. ("Frasier," with five in a row, is the only exception.) Are voters ready to cut their "Family" ties? A look at this year's Emmy comedy races:

For your consideration: "Arrested Development." The resurrected cult comedy dropped all 15 of its new episodes Memorial Day weekend. You didn't watch them all at once, did you? Hopefully not. Creator Mitch Hurwitz layered in so many genius comic bits and character beats into this new chapter that it's best savored over time. Let's just say family myopia has rarely been delivered so fully — or funnily.

Analysis: "Modern Family" has won for each of its three seasons, and now probably isn't the time to start betting against it. Dethroning it will take a bloc of voters uniting behind one show, and since people who love "Louie" also probably like "Girls" and "Veep" and "Arrested Development," finding such a show might prove problematic. For the contenders, winning a nomination in this particularly strong field will be a victory in itself.

For your consideration: Neil Flynn, "The Middle." Flynn's family comedy doesn't win the accolades or ratings of that other ABC Wednesday night comedy, but it's just as good in mining humor from family dynamics. Flynn may be a man of few words as the no-nonsense dad, but he makes each and every word count, providing the family — and the show — a solid center. The man's a master at pep talks too.

Analysis: Cryer, last year's unexpected winner, might not even be nominated. Or maybe we're just underestimating his chances — again — and he'll win back-to-back Emmys. C.K. would seem to be the man of the hour, though there could be some sentiment to send two-time winner Baldwin out on a high note.

For your consideration: Laura Dern, "Enlightened." Her show has been canceled. And (ridiculously) she wasn't nominated last year. But Dern's intricate performance as a woman on a mission to be an "agent of change" was a complete and utter marvel, the best work in a pretty great career. It won't be forgotten, and it'd be nice if Emmy voters made a statement for ambition and excellence, nominating her here.

Analysis: Thanks to a tie, there were seven nominees last year. Without any slam-dunk newcomers (Kaling has an outside shot, at best), six of the seven should return, with the last spot likely coming down to a choice between Falco or McCarthy.

Analysis: This could (and should) be the year when voters end the "Modern Family" blockade in this category. The arrival of "Arrested Development's" cast might provide the necessary means, though they're far from the only worthy alternatives. It'll likely come down to how many voters decide to reunite with the Bluth family and whether enough think there's room for the guys on "Girls."

For your consideration: Anna Chlumsky, "Veep." Her scenes with her family have been among the season's funniest. With Louis-Dreyfus winning an Emmy last year, castmate Chlumsky should be next in line.

Analysis: Bowen, Vergara and Bialik should all return as nominees. After that, it's wide open, with the "Arrested Development" and "Girls" ensembles poised as contenders and three-time nominee Krakowski, absent last year, deserving a final curtain call.

Backstage at the Emmys last year, reporters were squirming — and not just because of the ill-fitting rental tuxes and too-tight gowns. As "Modern Family" rolled to its third straight Emmy win for comedy series (after earlier pulling in prizes for supporting actor and actress and directing), the...

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